If you’ve been following the news on Cover Oregon and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, it might be difficult to keep the essential facts straight.

Deadlines are being extended, rules have been relaxed, and consumers are reporting both successful and disastrous experiences with the new insurance marketplaces.

If you’re in the market for health insurance, it could be a challenge to make a smart decision when things seem to be so turbulent. Here are the latest developments in the world of Cover Oregon, the state’s health insurance exchange, and how it might affect you.

1. Extended application deadline

Oregonians still have time to apply for health insurance through the exchange — an extra month. As long as you submit your application by April 30, you will be able to enroll in a plan and avoid the federal tax penalty.

Also, it’s important to note that April 30 is the application deadline, not enrollment deadline. The application is the step where you fill out a form about your finances and current insurance status. It is used by Cover Oregon staffers to determine your eligibility for Oregon Health Plan, private insurance and a tax subsidy to help pay for premiums.

There isn’t a set enrollment deadline, yet, Cover Oregon says. The general rule of thumb, though, is apply as soon as possible, and when you are determined eligible and approved to shop for a plan, don’t wait. The very murky deadline I was given on Monday was a “reasonable period of time” after you are approved.

2. How long will it take?

If you fill out an application and submit directly to Cover Oregon, the manual review process would take a week or less, spokeswoman Amy Fauver said. Then when you’re approved, you can select a plan at CoverOregon.com immediately.

If you want to complete the process in one sitting, you can connect with an agent for free. CoverOregon.com has a directory you can search by your ZIP code. Cover Oregon certified agents and community partners have access to the online portal, which can automatically process your application and allow you to shop right then and there.

While there are reports of glitches and errors with the portal, going to an agent still could be a better option than doing it alone. Agents are insurance experts and can advise you on all the complexities of health insurance products and recommend one that makes the most sense for you.

The enrollment deadline for coverage that begins the first of any month is the 15th of the month previous. For example, if you enroll on April 15, your coverage would begin May 1. If you enroll April 20, your coverage would begin June 1.

If you or your children are found eligible for Oregon’s Medicaid program for low-income people, your coverage will be retroactive to the date you submitted your application.

3. How is our deadline different from that of the federal exchange?

Originally, Monday was the deadline for enrollment for this year. But as the launch of the federal and state websites has not been smooth, consumers are getting some extra time. The federal government said that as long as people started their application by Monday, they could continue the process to get covered.

4. What happens if I enroll in insurance off the exchange?

If you purchase health insurance off the exchange after the March 31 deadline, you may still owe a partial federal penalty. The Oregon Insurance Division is working out the details.

5. When is the next open enrollment period?

Once this year’s enrollment period is over, you’ll have to wait until Nov. 15 to start enrolling in coverage that begins Jan. 1, 2015. There’s an exception for people who experience certain life changes, such as the birth of a baby, marriage and divorce.